Remote controlled door knob operating means



F. R. DALE April O, 1956 REMOTE CONTROLLED DOOR KNOB OPERATING MEANS Filed Sept` l5, 1953 Fran/r Ra/e INVENTOR.

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United States Patent() REMOTE CONTROLLED DOQR KNOB OPERATING MEANS Frank R. Dale, Eureka, Calif.

Application Septemberl, 1953,/Serial No. 380,229

2 Claims. (Cl. 2921-255) The present invention relates to means applicable to the surface of a door or equivalent closure and which is expressly constructed to provide a simple, practical, and eicient remote controlled device functioning to impart a limited turn to a latch controlling knob on the stated door, whereby to thus unlatch the door for ready opening of the same.

One object of the invention is to provide means of the stated character which lends itself to use by small children with the idea in mind of obviating the necessity of parents, who may be engaged in activities elsewhere in the home from having to stop doing the task in hand and going to the aid of the child who may not be able to reach the door knob or to turn it satisfactorily for releasing and opening the door, said means being especially useful when applied to a bathroom door or the door at the entrance of the childs bedroom, playroom, or the like.

An equally important object of the invention is to provide a device as stated which is equally well adapted to serve the needs of adults in that the device is so constructed that it provides what may be treated as a foot treadle whereby to thus provide a structure enabling one to unlatch the door with a foot and so that the then unlatched door may be pushed open with thesame foot to allow one, whose arms may be loaded with groceries or the like, to enter without too much trouble or diticulty.

A still further object of the invention has to do with means of the construction stated which may be satisfactorily attached for use to either one or both sides of the door on a porch, cellar, or elsewhere and which may consequently be employed by handicapped persons, for example those without arms or hands.

Then, too, novelty is predicated on a remote controlled device for turning a door knob which is in the form of a simple and economical attachment which is structurally and functionally distinct and is such in construction that it will doubtless meet the respective requirements and needs of manufacturers and users alike.

Other objects, features, and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.

in the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of a conventional door having a knob actuated lock or latch and wherein the improved remote controlled attachment is shown in readiness for use;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional and elevational view showing the construction of the details; and

Figure 3 is a view also fragmentary and in section and elevation showing the principal details employed.

Referring now to the drawings by way of reference numerals and accompanying lead lines touching the parts denoted, the numeral 6 designates what may he conveniently referred to as an ordinary or conventional door used in the home and elsewhere. This is the type of a door which is provided with a mortise lock 8 having a ICC 'key-controlled locking bolt 10 and a projectble and retractible bevelled latch bolt 12, the latter being operated by a knob 14. The numeral'l designates the usual face plate. The details of construction are not shown and are not necessary to a complete understanding of the invention which is directed primarily to the remote controlled means'for the knob, that is means which rotates or turns the knob suliciently to retract the latch bolt 12 and to thus unlatch the door so that it may be opened.

The means may be described as an attachment and it is characterized as 'before stated by a device which may be operated either by hand or foot and which is useful for small children as well as adults. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an attaching bracket 18 which is mounted on the door on either side and is located near the bottom of the door and is usually directly beneath the position of the knob in the manner shown in Figure l. The bracket comprises a at base or plate 20 which is suitably screwed or otherwise fastened in place. The vertical or longitudinal edges thereof are provided with lateral or outstanding anges 22-22 which are bent toward each other and which terminate in suitable ears 24-24. There is a horizontal or top llange at 26 which provides a stop shoulder and beneath this there is a ller plate or the like 2S which constitutes a second shoulder or stop. The lever 3l) may 'oe of the shape shown in that it is consequently suitable for operation by hand or foot. The handle portion is denoted at 32 and it is pivoted adjacent one end as at 34 between the ears. There is an extension or lug at 36 which operates in the limited space between the upper and lower stop shoulders 26 and this extension is suitably apertured to provide adjustable connection for complemental operating means. The operating means is of appropriate flexible properties and comprises a rst wire element or member 38. This is operable through a screw eye 40 and is provided at its lower end with an eye 42. A similar eye 44 is provided on the upper end and this is secured by a screw or similar fastening 46 to the knob at the eccentric position shown. The knob may be drilled and the fastening secured thereto in the manner shown in Figure 2 so that a downward pull on the wire member 33 would serve to rotate the knob a distance suiicient to retract the latch bolt 12.. There is a second or complemental wire member 48 and this has its upper end slidahle through the eye 42 where it 'terminates in an enlarged head 50. This provides an operating connection between the two wire members and also permits the wire members to be slid together for compactness and convenience in packaging the device for sale and other purposes. The intermediate portion of the wire member 48 passes through a screw eye 52 secured to the door and the lower end portion of the wire is bolted or otherwise adjustably and removably joined as at 54 with the apertured extension 36.

Lifting up on the lever serves to pull the wire members down and to turn the knob and to release the door.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readiiy occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use on a door having a turnable knob-controlled latch bolt, a remote-controlled attachment for turning the stated knob comprising a bracket having flanges, a

leverl pivotally mounted adjacent one end between said an'ges, a first` wire member connectble at one end to said knob and having an eye at its opposite end, a second Wire member having one end slidable through said eye and terminating in an enlarged head cooperating with said eye and joining said members in'operating relationship, and a separable and adjustable operating connection between the other end of said second wire member and said lever, said bracket comprising a at base plate having lateral spaced anges with converging free edge portions terminating in spaced ears, said lever being pivoted between the ears and having an apertured turning the stated knob comprising a bracket having anges with converging free 'edge portions terminating in spaced ears, said angesconnected by a web and said web constituting a base, said base having spaced stop shoulders, a lever pivoted between the ears and having an apertured extension operating in the space between and restricted in its movement by the respective cooperating stop shoulders, and cooperating Wire members one which is connected with said apertured extension and the other one which is adapted to be operatively connected with the aforementioned knob.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 283,770 Geiger Aug. 28, 1883 831,584 Vincent Sept. 25, 1906 1,100,553 Garrett June 16, 1914 

